Royal Wedding "Snack"

Did you get up to watch the royal wedding? I was up at 4 a.m. and watched it from beginning to end! I started my day with hot tea and toast. I also had a pot of coffee going! I have been trying to think of an English recipe that I make that I could share with you....besides toast or scones. Do finger sandwiches count? Here a couple of recipes using cream cheese....

Cucumber Sandwiches

Block of cream cheese, softened

Dab of milk

Garlic, to taste

Cucumber, thinly sliced

Mix all ingredients. Spread on bread-I have used the "little" bread found in the deli section or regular bread cut with cookie cutters to desired size and shape. Top with a cucumber slice.

Pineapple Sandwiches

1 lb. cream cheese

1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained

Mix and spread as the above recipe. This makes about 50 sandwiches.

Enjoy!

Sausage Balls

This appetizer has been a favorite around here for years. As we have eaten these the past several times we would wonder.... How would a sausage or country gravy taste with these?....Just a thought. I never seem to have gravy on hand to try! Let me know if you like gravy with them.

Sausage Balls

1 pound bulk sausage

2 cups Bisquick

8 oz. shredded cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl (it is easiest to use your hands). Shape into small balls and bake for 20 minutes.

On a side note today, I would like to remind you to pray for those in Alabama who have lost so much. My mom was blessed enough to be just fine through all of this. So many I am hearing of who have lost homes and possessions.

It is sunny here...I plan on enjoying this sunshine!

Homestyle Cheesy Veggies

I tasted this recipe at a church potluck. It puts a different twist on veggies. The water chestnuts give this dish some "crunchiness." Add less if you do not care for water chestnuts.

Homestyle Cheesy Veggies

2 16 oz. bags frozen broccoli/cauliflower mix

1 10 3/4 can of cream of mushroom soup

8 oz. Velveeta cheese

8 oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained

salt and pepper, to taste

Cook vegetables according to package directions; set aside. Heat soup and cheese together until cheese melts. Mix vegetables, water chestnuts, salt, and pepper into cheese mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Serves 10-12.

Hope you all have a great day!

Beef Sukiyaki

Last weekend we went to a Chinese restaurant. Long story short, I had a bad reaction to the MSG! Wow! It was a really scary reaction; so bad that Chinese does not appeal to me at all anymore. Our girls are sad for me, but were sad for themselves because they know Dad will veto the Chinese restaurant when I am present. Solution: Perfect Daddy- Daughter dates! After I overcome my fear of Chinese food I will make it at home: minus the MSG! This led me to my recipe for Beef Sukiyaki. This is a very quick and easy meal to make.

Beef Sukiyaki

1 med ium onion, sliced

1 lb. beef sirloin, cut in thin strips

1 tsp.salt.

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 tbl. vinegar

1/2 lb. mushrooms

1/2 green pepper strips

1 (12 oz.) can diet lemon lime soda

3 tbl. soy sauce

1 beef bouillon cube

1 (16 oz.) can bean sprouts, drained

1 (4 2/3 oz.) can bamboo shoots, drained

1 (8 oz.) can water chestnuts, drained and sliced

Saute onion in large skillet until softened. Add beef strips. Cook and stir over high heat until lightly browned. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and vinegar. Add mushrooms and green pepper. Cook 5 munites. Add all remaining ingreidents and simmer 5 minutes. Serve with rice..and/or other Chinese favorites.

Apple Salad

Have you ever found a recipe that you exclaim, "Oh, yeah, I remember that! It was really good." Then you wonder, why don't I make that more often? I really got excited when I found this one...seriously....and this is a pretty salad, also. You do have to plan ahead for this salad. Hope you enjoy!

Apple Salad

20 oz. pineapple tidbits in juice

2 cups miniature marshmallows

1/2 cup sugar

1 tbl. flour

1 tbl. vinegar

1 egg

6 cups red and green apples. cubed

8 oz. cool whip

Drain pineapple, save juice. Mix pineapple and marshmallows. Chill up to 24 hours. In sauce pan mix: pineapple juice, sugar, flour, vinegar, and egg. Heat on medium heat until bubbly. Reduce the heat and stir about 2 minutes. Chill in bowl up to 24 hours.

Mix pineapple and marshmallows, juice mixture, apples, and cool whip.

Serve and enjoy!

Phillip's Salsa

Recently I came across a salsa recipe, and my son decided to help me. He ended up changing the recipe...."We need more of this" and "What about...?" It was SO good! One problem- I did not write down how we did it. We made it again this afternoon and this time I wrote down what we did. This recipe does make a lot of salsa...Don't forget your chips!

Phillip's Salsa

1 can corn, drained

2 large cans Ro-tel tomatoes, not drained

4 regular size cans petite diced tomatoes, not drained

1 can black olives, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper,chopped

cilantro, to taste

garlic, to taste

1 bottle zesty Italian dressing

juice from 2 limes

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate several hours/ overnight.

Enjoy your salsa!

Bubble Pizza

I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter. We enjoyed the cantata "Shadow of the Cross" this morning in church. It had such a stirring message. After church we spent the afternoon with our friends. I feel blessed to have such good friends! It is hard to even think of food/recipes after the meal we enjoyed today. I do have two more recipes coming my way!

Bubble Pizza

1 pound ground beef

15 oz. pizza sauce

2 tubes (12 oz. each) biscuits

10 oz. mozzarella

other favorite pizza toppings, optional

Brown beef; drain. Stir in pizza sauce. Quarter the biscuits and place in a greased 13x9 pan. Top with beef mixture and pizza toppings. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes or until cheeses is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Happy Easter to all!

Potato Casserole

When we lived in Missouri we would often get together with our friends Nikki and Hugh for dinner. It was always fun getting together with them...you never knew what might happen...I mean, she had a baby and I had three children, a dog and cats....one thing that we COULD count on is this potato casserole. Years (and miles) have passed, but Nikki recently told me she still makes this dish for her family.

Potato Casserole

6 large (8-10 small) potatoes, with or without skins

1 pint sour cream

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 small onion, chopped

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup crushed cornflakes

2 tbl. butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Boil potatoes until tender. While potatoes are cooking, combine all other ingredients except corn flakes and butter. Cool potatoes, then finely chop and combine with soup mixture. Place in an oblong baking dish. Mix corn flakes with butter and sprinkle over casserole. Bake for 45 minutes. May be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake.

**Nikki and I always liked a lot of the cornflake mixture on top...more or less can be added to your liking.

***I promise...after this I will leave the "peanut butter muffins" topic alone....my son took the muffins to a friend's house. Dad wanted to try my daughter's twist on the recipe. This time we added some chocolate chips to the batter. They were delicious!

Now I am off to dye my Easter eggs....

Easter Egg Time!

The kids and I have dyed Easter eggs since...well, since before they could really do it...they "helped." They are now all in their teen years and still look forward to it. Well, my son has now decided he would rather eat them than decorate them. Tonight we are going to try to marbleize our eggs. You have probably have done this before...we have tried all kinds of things. My daughter likes stretching a rubber band around the egg in different angles, dyes the egg, then lets it dry....remove the rubber band and you get some pretty cool stripes. I guess what I hope to accomplish today is that I encourage you to spend some time with your children or grandchildren...or even dye some eggs for a gift for someone.

Marbleize Your Eggs!

Coat the egg with a base color and let dry. Mix canola or other light cooking oil into another color of dye (1 tsp. oil per cup of dye) and quickly dunk egg. The oil will repel the color in some place and will adhere in others creating the marble effect.

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

Red Beans and Rice

Peanut Butter Muffins baked, apple pie in the oven, children quietly doing their schoolwork, cats settled down for their morning nap, laundry going, second cup of coffee...sounds very peaceful...organized....I would love for you to believe that this is the typical day in my life...but it is not. Sorry. We are having a good morning though. As for the peanut butter muffins, I guess it depends on your taste. The muffins baked perfectly. My daughter (LOVES peanut butter) said she could not taste enough peanut butter. My son inhaled them. To me they were okay...almost on the "too rich" side. They will definitely make you crave a glass of cold milk!

Today's recipe is a "going back to my roots" recipe. Originally I am from Louisiana. I married a guy from Michigan, and now we are back in his home state. Over the years of being married I have learned to cook his favorites, but have also encouraged the southern style of eating for my family. Think I have balanced it out pretty well.

Red Beans and Rice

4-5 cans red kidney beans

1 ham bone

1/2 pound ham, small chunks or shredded

2 medium onions, chopped

1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

2 cloves garlic

1 tsp. cumin

red pepper, to taste

dash of Tabasco sauce

salt, to taste

1 pound smoked sausage, sliced

Here is the easy part! Combine all ingredients and cook over a low heat for several hours. The beans will make a gravy-sometimes I will add a little water if it looks too thick. Serve it over a bed of rice. Cornbread or hot french bread is good with this.

See you tomorrow!

Cheese Tortellini Salad

First of all, on the menu for breakfast tomorrow are the peanut butter muffins from yesterday's blog. We will let you know how they turn out. Today's recipe is a favorite salad of mine.

Cheese Tortellini Salad

4 16 oz. bags of cheese tortellini

1 pint of cherry tomatoes

1 block mozzarella cheese, cubed

1 large green pepper

1 large red pepper (not hot)

1 medium onion, chopped

16 oz. Italian dressing

Boil the cheese tortellini ala dente'. Rinse with cold water and let cool. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Gradually add dressing to your liking. Mix well. Put in refrigerator 1 hour or more. Very refreshing salad. We like it anytime, but especially as a side when grilling.

Peanut Butter Muffins

I'm just not sure about this one. It caught my eye awhile back, and I have put off making them. When it comes to muffins I generally stick to banana nut, blueberry, apple cinnamon....peanut butter? Let me know if any of you try this one....

Peanut Butter Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 sugar

1 tbl. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup peanut butter

3 tbl. cold butter, divided

2 eggs

1 cup milk

cinnamon-sugar

jelly, optional

~In a large bowl, combine first four ingredients. Cut in peanut butter and 2 tbl. butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat the eggs and milk, stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 full.

~Bake at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until muffins test done. Melt remaining butter, brush over tops of muffins. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Cool for 10 minutes; remove to a wire rack. Serve with jelly, if desired.

Impossible Coconut Pie

When I was a child my mom would make this pie. I thought it was one of those recipes that I would never be able to make....too difficult for me! Guess what?? I found out that it is VERY simple....not so impossible after all. As a matter of fact, if I can talk my husband into getting some milk on the way home I will make him a pie tonight.

Impossible Coconut Pie

4 eggs

1/2 stick butter.melted

1 3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 cups milk

1 1/4 cup cocnut

1 tsp. vanilla

Beat eggs thoroughly; add other ingredients except coconut and vanilla.

Beat until well blended. Stir in coconut and vanilla. Pour into an ungreased

pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees about 40 minutes. Cool and enjoy!!

Marinated Vegetable Salad

This is a great salad! Two versions....leaded and unleaded (with sugar and without)! This is one of my husband's favorites. I really need to make it more often-and it isn't that expensive.

Marinated Vegetable Salad

1 can small petite peas-drained

1 can white shoe peg corn-drained

1 can french green beans-drained

1/2 chopped celery, optional

1 small onion, chopped

1 green pepper

Marinate:

1/2 cup splenda

3/4 cup white vinegar

2 tbs canola oil

pepper to taste

1 tsp. salt

OR

Use 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup of regular sugar.

Marinate overnight. Drain and serve.

Hope you enjoy this salad-very light and refreshing! I first tasted this recipe visiting some friends. My husband first met them as a teen and they are very special people to him. I have since gotten to know them. It did not take me long to realize why they are so special.

Apple Dump Cake

We found this recipe at our local library. You could use it for a sweet treat

with breakfast or as a dessert.

Apple Dump Cake

1 can apple pie filling

1 box spice cake mix

1 cup melted butter or margarine

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour the pie filling into a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the filling. Pour the melted margarine or butter over the cake mix. Sprinkle the chopped nuts on top. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

My husband surprised us by bringing home things for shish kabobs to grill tonight....on this wet and windy evening. The guys grilled and it was delicious!

Easy-to-Stuff Manicotti

The challenge to publish a recipe each day for the month of April continues. So far so good! I have had a couple of close calls, but managed to pull through.

I love manicotti, but have never liked the mess...then I found this very SIMPLE recipe!

Easy-to-Stuff Manicotti

1 pkg. (8 oz.) manicotti shells

1 pound ground beef

1/2 chopped onion

1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce

14 pieces string cheese

1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook manicotti according to package directions. Meanwhile in large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce. Spread 1/2 of the meat sauce into a greased 13x9 pan.

Drain manicotti; stuff each shell with a piece of string cheese. Place over meat sauce, top with remaining sauce. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Yum! I enjoy this dish with a tossed salad and thick pieces of garlic bread....

Thanks for visiting with us!

Sausage Cups

My daughters attended a Sunday School class that had the girls bring a treat each Sunday. It was fun rotating the names and looking forward to seeing and tasting what their friends would bring.

Our girls enjoyed making sausage cups. The Won Ton wrappers were a different twist to traditional breakfast ideas.

Sausage Cups

1 lb. bulk sausage

1 pkg. Won Ton Wrappers

1 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded

1 cup cheddar cheese

1/2 cup Ranch dressing

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook sausage over medium heat until lightly browned. Drain. Spray mini muffin tins and insert Won Ton wrappers to form a small cup. Bake 5 minutes in a preheated oven. Allow wrappers to cool. Mix sausage, cheeses, and Ranch dressing together. Fill Won Ton wrappers. Bake 10 minutes until bubbly.

Hot Ham Sandwiches

Hot Ham Sandwiches

I came across this recipe at a church function a few years ago. Delicious!

1 long loaf French bread

8 oz. thinly sliced ham

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

1 stick butter

1 tbl. mustard

1 tbl. finely chopped onion

1 tbl. poppy seeds

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Slice bread in half lengthwise. Add the ham and the cheese. In a saucepan melt butter, add mustard, onion, poppy seed, and Worcestershire sauce.

Pour 2/3 of the sauce over the ham and cheese. Put top on sandwich and pour rest of the sauce on top.

Wrap in foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Slice and serve.

* This can be made and refrigerated overnight before baking.

See you tomorrow!

Recipe Challenge...Chicken Mexicali

My daughter was visiting from college this weekend and was thrilled to learn that a favorite of hers was on the menu. "Do I get to make it?" was her question! I love having girls who enjoy spending time in the kitchen. This is one of those recipes that when I ask my kids what should be on the menu, my son replies, "There is always Chicken Mexicali!"

Chicken Mexicali

1 chicken, deboned and cut in bite-sized pieces

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 small onion, chopped

1 bell pepper. chopped

1 tsp. chili powder

1 can Rotel tomatoes

1 bag tortilla chips, crushed

shredded cheese

Mix all ingredients EXCEPT the tortilla chips and shredded cheese in a 9x13 pan. Pour over crushed tortilla chips and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Thank you again for visiting with us!

Easter Egg Nest Candy

We have not tried this one, but it sounds fun. Instead of a coconut mixture, I have used rice krispie treats.

3 drops green food coloring

1/2 tsp. milk

1 1/3 c. flaked coconut

6 oz. white confectioners coating

~In small bowl, mix food coloring with milk; add coconut and mix until evenly tinted; set aside.

~Melt confectioners coating over a double boiler or in a microwave, stirring until smooth. Mix with coconut mixture and place by spoonfuls on waxed paper. Shape mixture like a bird's nest, making a slight indentation in the center of each one.

~Cool slightly and decorate by placing candy eggs in each nest.

See you tomorrow....the "recipe a day" challenge continues!

Baked Parmesan Fish

This is a simple way to work fish into your dinner plans.

Baked Parmesan Fish

1/3 grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbl. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 egg

2 tbl. milk

4 talapia fillets (I have used other types of fish also.)

In a shallow bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In another shallow bowl, beat the egg and milk. Dip fillets in the egg mixture, then coat with the cheese mixture.

Arrange in a 13x9 greased baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes of until fish flakes easily with a fork.

So far my "recipe a day" for the month of April has been a success! Challenging, though. It has been fun looking through my collection of recipe books. I am also enjoying talking with my daughter about what we should put next on the blog!

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Thank you for visiting with us.....

Recipe Challenge...White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies

I found this recipe from my friend Darlene. They are delicious!

White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies

1/3 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp.baking soda

3/4 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup vanilla or white chocolate chips

Mix dry ingredients; wet ingredients. Combine.

375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Frozen Banana Pineapple Cups

Never tried this recipe, but hope to soon. The recipe says it makes a good side to have with breakfast or a cool treat when the weather turns warm.

Frozen Banana Pineapple Cups

3 cups water

2 2/3 cups mashed bananas (5-6 medium)

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained

1 can (16 oz) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

In a 2 quart freezer container, combine all ingredients; mix well. Cover and freeze for 5 hours or overnight. Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before serving.

Yield: 9-12 servings.

Ham and Cheese Linguine

Ham and Cheese Linguine

We made this last Sunday for dinner...it was gone before I thought to take a picture! The theme of my recipes seem to be "easy". This one really is and has turned in to a family favorite.

8 oz. uncooked linguine, broken in half (spaghetti noodles work also)

2 cups cubed fully cooked ham

1 can mushroom soup, undiluted

2 1/2 cups shredded Swiss or mozzarella cheese,divided

1 cup (8 oz.) sour cream

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper

2 tbl. butter, melted

~Cook linguine according to directions; drain. Meanwhile in a large bowl combine ham, soup, 2 cups cheese, sour cream, onion, green pepper, and butter. Add the pasta; toss to coat.

~Transfer to a 13x9x2 in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake about 15 minutes later or until the cheese is melted through.

Recipe Challenge...Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad

Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad

One head of broccoli, chopped

One bunch cauliflower, chopped

1/2 purple onion, chopped

1 cup shredded cheese

1/2 cup raisins

Bacon bits

Salad dressing...

1 cup mayo

1/2 sugar

1 tbl. cider vinegar

You can mix up this salad and serve right away, or

let it chill for a while. We thought it was good either way.

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Recipe Challenge.... Mountain Dew Punch

Day four of my quest to do a recipe each day for the month of April...so far so good!

Mention "Mountain Dew" and teens will come running to you around here. We first tasted this punch at a church function. It is very easy to make and not too expensive.

Mountain Dew Punch

2 (2 liter each) bottles of Mountain Dew

1/2 gallon orange sherbet

1/2 pineapple sherbet

Pour Mountain Dew into punch bowl. Add orange sherbet and stir. Add pineapple sherbet and stir. You are done!

Have a good day....

Recipe Challenge...Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

My mom recently sent my daughter, Ashley, a cookbook. She love to cook! She quickly found this recipe because of her love for Reese's.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

9 inch graham cracker crust

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 (4 serving) pkg chocolate pudding (sugar free works also)

2 cups milk

1/2 cup whipped topping

1 oz. peanuts, crushed

Combine pudding mix and milk. Blend in peanut butter. Pour into pie crust. Chill until set. Top with tablespoon of whipped topping and garnish with peanuts.

Very easy to make!

Hope you enjoy....

Recipe Challenge...Cheese Chicken

This is a recipe that I would always request when coming home from college. It was a favorite of mine. I just made this meal for my daughter...now visiting home from college.

Cheese Chicken

3 or 4 chicken breasts

1/2 c. chopped onion

1/4 c. chopped bell pepper

8 oz. Velveeta cheese

1/2 stick margarine

1 pkg. egg noodles

1 can mushroom soup

Cook chicken and cut into bite size pieces. Cook onion and pepper onion in margarine until tender. Add soup and cheese; simmer until well blended. Add chicken. Add this mixture to cooked noodles. Bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes.

Enjoy! See you tomorrow....

Recipe Challenge...Fry Dip

Here goes....I am going to attempt to share a recipe with you all every day this month. I admire people who blog daily. It takes a lot of dedication! I hope I can do this. Some of the recipes will be "tried and true" and others will be ones that we are looking forward to try!

My first recipe was found online. Fry Dip is very popular in Utah. This blogger claimed that you would never use catsup again after trying this. That is exactly what my daughter said after trying this.

FRY DIP

2/3 cup mayo

1/3 cup catsup

1 tsp. mustard (gives it some zip)

Mix and enjoy dipping your french fries!

This recipe was found on the blog-Family Favorite Recipes-the button for it is on the side of my blog. She has a lot of wonderful ideas.

Thanks for stopping by to see us.